2020 Virtual Degree Conferral Celebration

Message from the Chair

Hello graduates! Stony Brook is a different place than when you entered. The South
P lot has been turned into a coronavirus testing center. Your soccer fields are covered
by hospital tents. Your classes suddenly went online mid-semester. This is not the
graduation you expected.

Most of the philosophers you have studied worked so intently because they thought
a new world was coming. You don’t have a choice; it’s already here. But whatever
you go on to do, your skills in philosophy will help. What sense will you make of
this new world? What ideas will you have? What will inspire you?

We faculty in the department are proud of you. We know that you are imaginative and
creative. We are sure that you will be able to make more sense than we can of this
new world.